Rajnath Singh lauds NSG's role during Pathankot attack, says govt will take steps to 'strengthen' it

New Delhi: The government will take all steps to "strengthen" the country's elite counter-terror force – NSG – by providing better infrastructure and weapons, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday.

Union minister Rajnath Singh with NSG commandos. PTI

The minister, after inaugurating a composite building for the counter-hijack squad of the force near Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), said he would also welcome a proposal for creation of a new category of medals for these commandos and those from other special forces to recognise their shaurya (bravery) and to boost their morale.

Singh lauded the National Security Guard (NSG) for its role during the terror attack early this year at the Pathankot IAF base which ensured that there was "no damage to the strategic installations and equipments" inside the air force station.

"I will make efforts to see that your infrastructural needs are met...Any special force like NSG needs special training and some very sophisticated equipments. The Home Ministry will take all steps to strengthen NSG," he said, noting countries across the globe are facing the scourge of terrorism.

The counter-hijack squad complex, modelled on the pattern of the German special counter-terror force GSG-9 and built at a cost of Rs 38 crore, houses some vital assets of the force like a base for 'black cat' commandos who undertake counter-hijack operations, a sniffer dogs squad and a bomb disposal squad.

Singh said NSG commandos get their motivation and courage to combat the terrorists from their feeling of "national pride". "You have a special place in the hearts of the people...Whenever NSG is deployed, the country knows they are in safe hands. You have done your job very ably," Singh said as he made a special mention of the Akshardham temple attack operation of 2002 during which NSG neutralised the terrorists.

He asked NSG to commemorate the birth and death anniversaries of its martyrs as suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to all central security forces, by holding special events.

He said the commandos should train themselves and ensure when in operation they should kill the enemy and not get killed.